Thirteen student-athletes in the Puyallup School District signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to universities of their choice on the November 8 National Signing Day.

NLIs may be voluntarily signed by prospective student-athletes who will be entering a four-year university for the first time in the academic year after they sign the NLI.

After a student has signed an NLI to a four-year university, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) forbids any further efforts from other institutions to recruit that student. Students who have signed an NLI must attend the school to which they signed in order to receive financial aid.

The NLI was created in 1964 by Dr. J William Davis to keep other universities from recruiting an athlete after that athlete committed to going to a four-year university.

Director of Instructional Leadership - Athletics, Health and Fitness, Rick Wells, celebrated the students’ commitment saying, “NLIs represent the culmination of many years of hard work, commitment, determination, and dedication. We are proud of these student-athletes who have demonstrated that such values and character traits -- rooted in self-discipline -- often result in prized benefit.”

Emerald Ridge High School:

Amber Fickle - Tacoma Community College - Basketball

Kava Durr - Colorado State University - Volleyball

Jadyn Mullen - Corban University - Volleyball

Tayler Templeman - California State East Bay - Volleyball

Jeffrey Fahnlander - Whitworth - Baseball

Puyallup High School:

Sophia Bjerk - University of San Diego - Fastpitch

Gavin Grant - Oregon State University - Baseball

Brady McLean - Pacific Lutheran University - Baseball

Joseph Fitzsimmons - Concordia University Irvine - Swimming

Rogers High School:

Maddy Clark - Concordia University - Beach Volleyball

Madison Glasoe - Boise State University - Fastpitch

Ellie Hamel - Simpson University - Basketball

Nick Waterstraat - California Lutheran University - Basketball

Joseph Fitzsimmons stated, “Athletics helped me strive to do better in academics because of learning balance between school and swimming, and it also helped me create a good work ethic.” Fitzsimmons is going to go to Concordia University to pursue a career as a physician assistant.

Gavin Grant explained, “Athletics taught me to do my best on the field and in the classroom. It taught me hard work and also perseverance.” Grant is going to Oregon State University to pursue a career in physical training.

Sophia Bjerk added, “Athletics helped me as a student to learn how to effectively manage my time and to focus my priorities.” Bjerk is going to the University of San Diego to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Brady Mclean said, “As a student, athletics helped me get more involved in school past just the grades, and to learn what “team” really was. After playing with this team for so long I learned they are more than just guys out on the field with me.”

“Athletics taught me to do my best on the field and in the classroom. It taught me hard work and also perseverance.”

Jim Meyerhoff, athletic director at Puyallup High School, shared a word of thanks to both students and parents for the commitment they have made over the years. Although the students have put in many hours of practice and playing time, Meyerhoff extended a special thank you to the parents who helped make this opportunity possible by supporting their student in a variety of ways such as paying for equipment or hours of drive time to get to games and practices.

The 13 student-athletes who signed their NLIs on the November 8 National Signing Day will be continuing a tradition of excellence by furthering their education post-high school as student-athletes in a university setting.

November 8 was the first National Signing Day of the school year. More National Letter of Intent signing dates will be coming:
December 20, 2017
February 7, 2018 April 11, 2018

“Athletics taught me to do my best on the field and in the classroom. It taught me hard work and also perseverance.”

“Athletics taught me to do my best on the field and in the classroom. It taught me hard work and also perseverance.”

“Puyallup School District provides equal opportunities in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Students and staff are protected against sexual harassment by anyone in any school program or activity, including on the school campus, on the school bus, or off-campus, such as a school-sponsored field trip.
Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination or harassment may be directed to:
ADA/Human Resources Compliance Coordinator: Amie Brandmire ~ (253) 841-8666, brandmah@puyallup.k12.wa.us;
Chief Equity and Achievement Officer: Gerald Denman ~ (253) 840-8966, denmange@puyallup.k12.wa.us;
Title IX Coordinator, Jim Meyerhoff – (253) 841-8785, meyerhja@puyallup.k12.wa.us; or
Section 504 Coordinator, Gerald Denman ~ (253) 840-8966, denmange@puyallup.k12.wa.us.
All individuals may be reached at this address:
Puyallup School District
302 2nd Street SE
Puyallup, WA 98372”